News

The Chicago Bears are hosting a special recognition breakfast at Halas Hall in Lake Forest, IL, for Vietnam Veterans and Vietnam Era Veterans of all U.S. military services who served between Nov 1955 and May 1975. The Chicago Bears organization wants to recognize our nation's veterans who did not receive the support and gratitude they deserved during their time in service. Only these veterans are invited to this event.

This free event includes:
* A full breakfast buffet
* Special pinning ceremony
* Meet and greet with Bears alumni
* Special gift bag
* Special guest speakers and more!

You must RSVP by this Friday, 04 November 2022 at 17:00 (firm) by contacting Jerry Paulsen at (847) 529-5205 or via email at gpaulsen@paulsenproductionsinc.com.

Details needed for day of:
1. Name, phone number and email of each veteran attending
2. Notice of any ADA needs
3. MUST bring photo ID to check in at Halas Hall
4. Photo waivers on site to sign for all veteran attendees
5. Any assistance needed will be prearranged

PLEASE NOTE:
This is not a Chicago Chapter or 82nd Airborne Division Association event; we are not directly affiliated nor responsible. We are only sharing this information with our members who may be eligible and interested for their benefit. Feel free to pass this information along to others that may be eligible and interested.

Our Chicago Chapter welcomes its newest member - Floyd Soristo, Jr. of Wheeling, IL! 

Floyd served as an Infantryman with B/2-508th PIR (82nd Abn Div) from 1972-74 and earned the rank of SGT/E-5. 

Welcome aboard, Floyd! Airborne, All The Way!

Units involved in the withdrawal from Afghanistan will be recognized for their service, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced.

“At President Biden’s direction, all units involved in the retrograde operation from Afghanistan, Operation Allies Refuge and Operation Allies Welcome will be awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation or its equivalent,” Austin said in a statement released Aug. 31.

This includes the 82nd Airborne Division. Click here to read the whole story on AUSA's website. 

The VA maintains a running list of current discounts across many categories that are offered to Veterans and Military. Click here to check out the list. AATW! 

Many thanks to Barney Janecki of Oak Lawn, IL, for renewing his membership with the Chicago Chapter! Barney is one of our honored WWII veterans, however he served in the Navy at that time. He later was drafted again, this time by the Army during the Korean War, where he served with Replacement Company, 82nd Airborne Division, from 1952-53. 

Airborne, All The Way!

Many thanks to SSG Brittany McNaughton, soon to be of Fort Lee, VA, for renewing her membership with the Chicago Chapter! Brittany served with 1-319th AFAR (82nd Abn Div) from 2014-2017 and 1-40th CAV (4th BCT (Abn), 25th Inf Div) from 2017-2020.

Airborne, All The Way!

Our Chicago Chapter welcomes it's newest member - Joseph Kaminski of Woodridge, IL!

Joseph served with C/2-505 PIR (82nd Abn Div) from 2002-05, including deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. He retired from the Army as a SFC.

Welcome aboard, Joseph! Airborne, All The Way!

Many thanks to Julius "Jay" Siler of Grapevine, TX, for renewing his membership with the Chicago Chapter! Jay served with 782nd MSB (82nd Abn Div) from 1990-94.

Airborne, All The Way!

On this 78th Anniversay of D-Day, I'd like to recognize our Chicago Chapter D-Day Veterans. With the exception of Walter Baker, all of these brave men have gone to the Great Manifest in the sky.

Walter Baker (508 PIR)

John Condich 

Robert Black (325 GIR)

Anthony DeMichael (HHC 82nd Abn Div)

Raymond Fary (82 Anti-Aircraft Bn)

Hal Galimore (82 Parachute Maint Co)

Stanley Gryga (HHC 82n Abn Div)

Donald Krause Sr (508 PIR)

Donald Maas (501 PIR)

Raider Nelson (507 PIR)

Chester Novak (508 PIR)

John Overling (325 GIR)

Charles Reice (508 PIR)

Frank Sosnowski (508 PIR)

Manfred Steinfeld (HHC 82nd Abn Div)

Anthony Vallos (325 GIR)

Matthew Wojtaszek Sr (319 AFAR)

This list is NOT all-inclusive, so if you know of others, please share their name/info in the Comments section.

Airborne, All The Way!